Japanese Kukicha Tea: Properties and Benefits
What is kukicha tea? | Properties of kukicha tea | Where to buy kukicha tea
The world of tea is almost endless, so much so that the deeper you delve, the bigger it seems. There's always a variety you didn't know about, with new and surprising aromas and flavors. Kukicha tea is one of those hidden gems , a Japanese green tea made with stems and twigs instead of leaves. In this post, I'll tell you all about its properties, preparation, and some interesting facts.
What is kukicha tea?
Kukicha tea is a Japanese green tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant, like other teas . What makes kukicha tea special is that it's made from the stems and twigs instead of the leaves.
This tea, also known as kokicha or bocha, has a flavor and aroma of fresh grass, butter, and nuts. It has a mild sweetness and a creamy body, and its infusion is light yellow in color. Kukicha tea is a favorite among Japanese people as a companion to sushi.
Because the stems and twigs contain less caffeine than the leaves, kukicha tea is less stimulating than other green teas, making it a great choice as a bedtime tea or for older people.
Origin of kukicha tea
Kukicha tea began as a tea for the poorest people in Japan. The stems and twigs were discarded when harvesting tea leaves, so workers began using them to make a cheaper version of green tea. Little by little, its distinctive aroma and flavor gained popularity, eventually becoming one of the most popular Japanese teas worldwide .
Making kukicha tea
Kukicha tea is made from the stems left after harvesting one bud and three leaves, which are used to make other types of Japanese green teas. The stems and twigs of the plant are blended and cut to a precise length to create a more uniform appearance.
They are then steamed to prevent oxidation and then dried. Kaga boucha is another type of kukicha that is roasted, resulting in a tea with a flavor similar to hojicha and genmaicha.
Kukicha tea and macrobiotic diet
Kukicha tea has become well-known in the West as one of the recommended beverages in the macrobiotic diet. This diet, proposed by Japanese philosopher George Ohsawa, is based on balance as the key to well-being.
Properties of kukicha tea
Kukicha tea is unique among green teas because it retains many of its properties and benefits while containing much less caffeine . This tea has the ability to reduce the body's acidity and increase the alkalinity of tissues and fluids , preventing multiple diseases.
Kukicha tea is high in vitamins and minerals , which is why it has been used in traditional Japanese yoga therapy and Chinese medicine to help treat various symptoms , including:
- High blood pressure
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Urinary tract infections
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Heavy digestion
Kukicha tea has twice as much vitamin C as oranges and up to six times more calcium than cow's milk. It also contains essential minerals for health, such as iron, manganese, fluoride, and selenium.
Like other green teas , kukicha is also rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, catechins, and amino acids . This makes it a suitable tea for detoxifying and cleansing the liver and kidneys , eliminating unwanted waste and byproducts.
The catechins in kukicha tea help rejuvenate the skin ; its powerful antioxidant power stops free radicals, preventing oxidative damage to cells and tissues.
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Buy kukicha tea
To enjoy kukicha tea to its fullest, we recommend using loose tea instead of tea bags. If you can find organic kukicha tea , even better, as it will be free of pesticides and chemicals that can alter the tea's flavor and be harmful to your health.
You can buy kukicha tea at specialty tea shops. At Replantea , you'll find a superior , 100% organic kukicha tea made with Japanese sencha tea.